Saturday, February 7, 2009

And yet more doll clothes blather

The little Nordic Sweater (pattern in Knit and Crochet Accessories for 18" Dolls, design by Cici Reihl) came out even more beautifully than I expected. It fits very well, and though I worried that it would not go on the doll easily, it does (as long as you put it on over her head, not from the feet, as I tried the first time). I have not been able to find any mini clasps for the opening, but the sweater looks fine without them. I worked up a matching hat for the sweater(there was no pattern, I just sort of improvised).

I've still been sewing. I experimented with ironing t-shirt fabric to freezer paper in order to print on it, but could not get the sheets to feed into my printer (that method works fine with muslin, so the knit fabric must be too thick. Or something). I'll have to get some printable iron-on transfer sheets instead. On reflection, that would work better anyway- I can print many doll-size graphics on a single sheet, and then place them wherever I want on the fabric.

I finished the last patchwork quilt (to match the pink bedroom), and then made 3 sets of summer clothes for the 3 dolls. And in a fit of total goofiness, I cut up an old pair of Sponge Bob jammies, and turned them into doll jammies. I was very surprised that it took nearly all of the SB fabric to make 3 sets of pj's.

Clarification : All foot measurements in the instructions are to be measured after the heel is finished. Measure the foot flap and gusset heel socks from the gusset edge, and measure the foot for short-row heel socks from the first full round after completing the heel.
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When you come upon instructions that say knit as for, referring you to a different pattern for the next step (for example, to the 40 stitch flap and gusset heel), knit that portion of your heel as you would for the referred pattern. In other words, knit it in the same manner, using the same short-row technique as in the referenced instructions. Knitting "as for" does not mean that you are to use the same number of stitches (which would be impossible, since only the 40 stitch heel uses forty stitches). Work the first two rows of your listed heel instructions, and then continue in the same manner as the 40 stitch flap and gusset heel (in other words, work one more stitch on each row, before doing the decrease and turn), until you have worked across all of the stitches.

Listen to the Knit Picks Podcast Interview

40 minutes of me blathering on and on while Kelly Petkun of Knit Picks asks some very good questions. Twice.

I Heart Felt

About The Free Pattern Downloads

You (individuals, not companies or corporations) may knit as many items from the Freebie Friday patterns (or any other original free patterns posted here) as you like. You may sell those items and make a bazillion dollars doing so. I would rather you didn't repost the pattern pages, or print them to hand out to others. Link to here so people can download their own copies, please. I would also prefer that you not teach the patterns as classes without contacting me first about it. Crediting the design and designer would also be nice.

I would love for people to send me jpgs of items knit from the Freebie patterns. I'll post them if any come in.

About Me

I'm a writer (6 mysteries, one mainstream novel, 5 knitting books, lots of designs and reviews, paper dolls, blather), wife, mother, and grandmother. I knit, I watch TV obsessively while I knit, I spin, I read, I listen to music, and I talk. A lot.